Cultivating Your Inner Strength Amongst Chaos

As you've probably seen in the news, the coronavirus is making its way around the world. Unfortunately there have been many deaths, and thousands more have become severely ill. The virus has caused an upheaval in the daily life of millions of people in multiple countries, and there doesn't seem to be an end to this in the near future.

For those of us in the medical field, dealing with a novel virus is especially anxiety-provoking. We are at the frontlines helping the patients, many of us at risk just due to our line of work. Many of our patients without symptoms are also very fearful, and like me you may be trying to ease their anxieties in the midst of this outbreak. So what are we supposed to do during a time of so much fear, uncertainty and chaos?

Unfortunately the headlines don't make us feel any better, and there is a lot of misinformation floating around. However, there are a few steps that you can take to tap into your inner strength and calm to help you get through difficult times, even if you don't realize you possess these qualities.

Stay calm. Yes I know you've heard this time and time again, keep calm don't panic. But really this is the best advice that you can take. Keeping calm will help you think rationally during times of uncertainty or emergency. By keeping calm you are more level-headed and better able to assist your loved ones who may not be as calm as you. This is a necessary skill in the medical profession and you probably have more inner calm than you realize. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a crisis to know our own inner calm and strength.

Release the need to control. In times of uncertainty we must realize that we cannot control the outcome. Many of us are used to controlling many aspects of our lives, and feel helpless when this control is taken away. However, in reality, how much control do we really have over our daily lives? Much of the control that we think we have is perceived. By releasing the need to control the situation, you are better able to surrender and go with the flow.

Have faith. If you have a spiritual or faith-based practice I encourage you to tap into this. When things are unknown, relying on that inner faith will help you. If you don't have a spiritual/faith practice you can try meditation for at least five minutes a day which will help you remain centered.

Know things will improve. Life is always in constant flux. By reminding yourself that this situation will improve, you can better handle the ups and downs that come with uncertainty, knowing it will eventually get better.

Remember, you have the inner strength and resolve to get through what is happening in the world. The coronavirus outbreak will eventually pass, but there will always be another catastrophic event around the corner. By finding and cultivating your inner strength and calm, you will be able to handle whatever life throws at you.